AIBU or just petty

OP, my oh my, your mother and brother sound horrible. Do not give her the tv and don't cater to any of her bonkers commands. Just say "No" no need to explain or justify to her. He's 28??? Let him bring his own tv.

Just a thought...buy the cereal and wrap it up for his xmas present....I know you can't really do that...!

yanbu to say no. It's a totally unreasonable request. But, what happens when you say no? Has she got form for throwing a strop?

Please tell me you aren't spending christmas day with them? Just be busy. Or ill, and need your TV then....

Or tell her that you can't give up your bedroom TV because you and DP have a Christmas eve tradition of watching p0rn in bed after you've set out all the stockings etc. See if she dares ask again...

I wouldn't buy the cereals or lend him the TV but I'd also make my own arrangements for Christmas.

I seriously suggest you 'break' your TV the day before you see them

WTAF?

NO! Just that! It's a full sentence you know!!

I'd reply - "So you want me to give up my TV so a grown man can play games all day. And spend nearly £3 on cereal for the man-child. Anything else you'd like me to give him, mum? A kidney? My first born child? The moon on a stick? If he is that spoilt, you are the one that spoiled him, so you give him your TV!"

This...

Why can't he buy his own effing cereal!
She's bred a man child and now needs to deal with the consequences!

Sounds like my late mother.

When a sibling got married mother pointed to a necklace I was bought when I was about 10 and said "when they have a girl you give that to them" her face was a picture when I said - okay, and when I have a girl I'll take it back, yes?" turned out that sibling had boys and I have girls, but that's not the point.

YA so NBU OP

If it's that important to her, he can plug the ps4 into her living room TV. I'm sure if he only eats a certain cereal he can buy it himself.

Sounds like his been spoiled for too long and your mum is quite happy to enable him.

why can't brother bring his own TV?

Are you going to be staying there at all?

If so I might considertaking my telly for him to use then if not too much trouble.

Why would you buy cereal for him?

Why would she even ask that??

I'm really shocked at your Mother's audacity. You are definitely not U nor petty. You know what they say on MN - No is a complete sentence.

Is there any particular reason why your mum favours your brother or panders to a 28 year old who wants to 'visit' yet get up at 3pm and play games for 10 hours straight.

Not that it would make you unreasonable in any way but just wondering if your brother has autism or something that would make him rely on the games.

That's the only reason I could see that would make your mum's request in any way ok or would make me consider adhering to it for a moment.

I'd reply - "So you want me to give up my TV so a grown man can play games all day. And spend nearly £3 on cereal for the man-child. Anything else you'd like me to give him, mum? A kidney? My first born child? The moon on a stick? If he is that spoilt, you are the one that spoiled him, so you give him your TV!"

'Perhaps brother has suggested he won't visit your mum unless he can indulge his PS4 habit and because she really wants him to stay she's promised the TV without asking you'

That's not the OP's lookout. He's 28, not 8.

You tell her, 'No. That's not happening. I am not petty or selfish. You stop calling me that. He wants a telly for that he can go buy one himself the way I did.'

And then you repeat.

She is using classic manipulation on you. FOG. Fear, obligation, guilt.

Don't fall for her gaslighting bollocks.

If he can bring his PS4, he can bring his own tv too!

Tell her to checkout ebay - loads on there really really cheap.
He can have one there all the time then

I'm going to take a different view - don't hate me! Perhaps brother has suggested he won't visit your mum unless he can indulge his PS4 habit and because she really wants him to stay she's promised the TV without asking you. Unless he's got a car, he's not going to be able to bring his own. Also, it might be worth considering, if he's determined to be so unsociable, whether it's worth the effort of making him spend more time with his family. Perhaps everyone will have a nicer time if he's locked away twiddling his knobs!

He can buy his own cereal. He can bring his own tv. He's 28, ffs, not a fucking child.

You must say no. To the tv and the cereal, there is absolutely NO reason why you should give in on either count.

Stand your ground.

I am fuming on your behalf!!

Do not give her the TV. Tell her to buy one or he can bring his own!

Don't try to justify your NO.
Don't back down on this one.
This could be the start of you being more assertive with your DM.

Blimey

I was thinking, that parenting is setting up your brother for serious issues when he grows up...

...and then saw he is 28

Just say no. She's the one being ridiculous.

I'm guessing he's always spoilt (?)